Police Board

The role of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board is to provide civilian oversight to the activities of the Victoria Police Department, on behalf of the residents of Esquimalt and Victoria. The Police Act gives the Board the authority to:

Establish an independent police department and appoint the chief constable and other constables and employees;

Direct and oversee the Department to ensure the enforcement of municipal bylaws, criminal laws and the laws of British Columbia, the maintenance of law and order; and the prevention of crime;

Carry out other requirements as specified in the Act and other relevant legislation; and

Play a key role in ensuring that the organization carries out its actions and activities in an acceptable manner.

The Board operates under the oversight of the Police Services Division of the BC Ministry of Justice which is responsible for Police Boards and policing in BC. The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board (Board) is responsible for providing police and law enforcement services for the municipalities of Esquimalt and Victoria.

Members:

Mayor Barbara Desjardins, Deputy Co-Chair

Mayor Barbara Desjardins
Lead Co-Chair

Barbara Desjardins ran for Mayor in 2008 and was acclaimed again in 2011 and 2014. Prior to this appointment, she served as an Esquimalt councillor from 2005 to 2008.

In her current role, Mayor Desjardins serves as Co Chair of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board. She currently sits on the Capital Regional District Board and has been in the position of Chair of several committees of the CRD. She serves on the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and is Vice Chair of the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Board. Mayor Desjardins also serves on the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) as Esquimalt Director, Vice Chair, Interim Chair, and is currently starting the position of Secretary and Chair of GVHA Governance Committee.

Since 1990, Barb has owned and operated 3 physiotherapy clinics. She has been very active within her professional association throughout her 30 year career as a physiotherapist.

In her career as a public servant Barb is guided by a couple of rules: 1) pay personal attention to issues and 2) be a visible and active participant in your community.

Mayor Desjardins holds her Bachelor of Science with specialized training in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. The mother of two grown children, Barb is a strong advocate for active and healthy living. She continues to be recognized for advocacy of issues -- both large and small -- within the community

Mayor Lisa Helps, Lead Co-Chair

Mayor Lisa Helps
Deputy Co-Chair

Lisa Helps became the 52nd Mayor of Victoria when she was elected on November 15, 2014, and was sworn into office on December 4, 2014. Prior to being elected as Mayor, Lisa served as a Victoria City Councillor for one term, from 2011 to 2014. Lisa is known for having a huge heart, a wealth of experience, and a history of getting things done. Lisa has worked with people to create things (housing, organizations, businesses, newspapers, gardens) which enable people to thrive. She has collaborated with politicians, contractors, neighbours, people on the street, community associations and more to bring about positive change in the community. Mayor Helps is known for being generous, patient, firm, and focused. Lisa learns best by doing, and in conversation with people. She is thrilled to be at the Victoria City Council table and will bring her heart, experience and big-picture, long-term thinking (as a trained historian) to bear on all decisions.

Roxanne Helme, QC

Roxanne Helme is a Partner at Green & Helme, Barrister & Solicitors. She has worked as a civil and criminal litigation lawyer in private practice since her call to the Bar of British Columbia in 1987. She has served as an Ad Hoc Crown Counsel for the Province of British Columbia from 1991 to 2004. Ms. Helme is a founding member of the International Criminal Bar (ICB) and currently serves as Co-President of the ICB. She served for seven years as Chair of the Employment Insurance Board of Referees (administrative tribunal), as a Past President of the Victoria Bar Association and two three year terms as an elected member for Victoria County of Provincial Council for the Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia Branch). She is a member of List Counsel for the International Criminal Court. Active in her community, she has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Victoria and also at Esquimalt High School . She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Victoria Inter-Cultural Association and serves as Chair of the Policy Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Victoria . She is married with two grown children.

Peter Ryan, Council Nominee (Esquimalt)

Peter Ryan has lived and worked all across Canada truly moving from coast to coast. Peter settled in BC and in 1981 found his calling in the Vancouver Police Department, where he worked for 28 years retiring as Detective Constable in 2009. Peter and his wife Louise then chose Esquimalt as their home.

Over the years, Peter has turned his experiences and passion for hard work into a passion for volunteering to support community issues and priorities. He has made a positive impact by previously serving on the Township of Esquimalt’s Access Awareness Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Committee. He has volunteered for and promoted events for other community organizations including the Township Community Arts Council and the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights. He has demonstrated leadership, engaging others in a collective effort to make a difference, previously as a Director of the Esquimalt Residents Association (ERA) and a Provincial Regional Director for Vancouver Island and Chair of District 38 Victoria of the Municipal Pension Retirees Association (MPRA).

Maureen C. Shaw

Maureen Shaw ‘retired’ having spent 15 years as President and CEO of The Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA), headquartered in Toronto. She led the transformation of IAPA from a traditional safety training organization to one that approaches workplaces as, physically, environmentally, socially and psychologically safe and healthy places for people and business to prosper.

She has spent over 30 years providing leadership in the evolution of health and safety at provincial, national and international levels. Maureen specializes in building partnerships and relationships with business, the community and employees, to help them understand the social, moral and economic impact on their businesses and to take action to mitigate these preventable losses. She is a thought leader, lecturer and presenter in, boardrooms, conferences and in the education community. She brings both a professional and a personal commitment and passion for prevention.

Maureen is currently National – International Advisor for the BC Leaders Safety Charter and the Food and Manufacturers Safety Alliance. She is also a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Advisory Committee on Psychological Health and Safety, The Board of Directors of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada and a member of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board. She is a strong supporter of Threads of Life –Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support.

She has been recognized nationally and internationally for her leadership, including one of 60 recipients of the Inaugural Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for her …..”contribution and commitment to the worldwide advancement of occupational safety and health”; the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation, also referred to as the Canada 125 Medal; Calgary YWCA Woman of Distinction in Business, Labour, and the Professions Award.

Semi-retired she lives in Victoria, BC with her husband Norm and loves being close to her three grandboys.

Brian R.D. Smith, QC

Brian Smith is a Lawyer and Public Policy Advisor with Growlings LLP as well Chief Federeal Treaty Negotiator with the Department of Indian Affairs.

In the past, he was the Executive Chair for BC Hydro and CN Rail. In his community, Mr. Smith has been a Member of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem for ten years and has served as Director and Chair for Tennis Canada. He holds his Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia as well as his Masters from Queens University.

Patti Stockton, Council Nominee (Victoria)

Patti Stockton retired from the Public Service of British Columbia after more than 20 years in various senior positions, including Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Safety & Regulatory Programs with the Ministry of Attorney General. Since retirement, Patti has been active in the community, as a board member with the Victoria READ Society and the Together Against Poverty Society. She was also a docent at the Royal BC Museum, a security volunteer for the Tall Ships Society, and an ambassador for the Victoria Downtown Ambassadors. Currently she is 1st Vice President of the Trafalgar/ProPatria Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Sean Powell

Sean Powell is currently the Principal at Ecole Lansdowne Middle School. He has been a teacher/administrator for 21 years, teaching in positions from Kindergarten to adult education in the communities of Saanich, Esquimalt and Victoria. He also owns a local company, Powell Investments Ltd., a building and development company, and previously had a supporting role in Via Solar Inc., which focused on installing alternative energy sources for residential homes. Active in his community, Mr. Powell has been a School Representative for the United Way and Cops for Cancer. He also coaches lacrosse and hockey in Victoria. Mr. Powell holds his Bachelor of Education and Masters in Leadership from the University of Victoria.